LEE Magazine July Issue – YunHo [070610]

June 7, 2010

“Even if anything were to happen, I want to be at the front protecting everyone.”

A man who is quietly passionate…

With their outstanding vocals and dance skills, THSK has not only set new records in South Korea, Japan, but all over Asia in the field of music. As their leader, YunHo made his debut as an actor in a South Korean television drama! He plays the role of a soccer player, and due to the upcoming World Cup, he has received more attention through his character. While we did touch on the topic of acting, he also shared some personal issues, his ideal marriage and his family!

I am very happy to be able to experience a normal lifestyle through a television drama…

Being the only Asian artiste chosen to partake in Michael Jackson’s (MJ) memorial concert event, along with his volunteer work and donations towards the victims who suffered from an earthquake in Haiti et cetera, YunHo has been receiving much more attention recently. Although he is only 24 years old, there is an unexpected sense of maturity. He is usually serious, and with his elegant facial expressions, he has showed many unseen sides of himself to the audience through this television drama!
“In music, you have to think of how to show everyone your best in three minutes. As an actor, however, you need a long time of interaction; you continue to act as you understand the surrounding atmosphere. I feel very happy as this is my first time experiencing [acting], and I feel [the character] is very similar to who I am. Even though I have never done this in my own life, but I am still as happy to be able to experience it through the television drama. Do I want a vacation? No, but it would be good if I have some free time, Bong Gun and I are those types who would constantly want to do something.”

The character he is playing, Cha Bong Gun, is a soccer player who once thought of giving up on his dream, but through an unexpected opportunity, he was given the chance to turn professional. What was shocking was that in every scene where Bong Gun had to display certain spectacular soccer skills, YunHo did everything by himself, without a stand-in.

“Not just in the scenes relating to soccer, but even in those dangerous scenes, I did everything personally. The people around me tried to persuade me out of it, but I feel this is something basic I have to do as a newcomer. My acting skills have improved a bit too, following the increase of Bong Gun’s life experiences, I also matured in my attitude. Initially, Bong Gun felt that he was unlucky in life and would give up on himself, but he eventually overcame any obstacle that he met. I feel true success is made up of 10% luck, and 90% effort. I also told my friends frequently that there will always be a higher mountain that the existing one [you may be facing]. If you can’t learn to overcome this [mountain], you will never be able to climb the next one.”

YunHo took some time to think through before he answered very politely and slowly in Japanese. That gentle voice really let one feels very comfortable with him. This is a big change from Bong Gun, who is constantly very harsh in his speech.

“I am usually like how I am right now too, I don’t speak harshly. But I do speak dialect sometimes when I am with my friends.”

The manager added, “In Japan’s terms, that situation would be akin to coming from Kyushu and speaking its dialect.” Has YunHo, who speaks dialect, suddenly formed an image of a Kyushu man? When asked if he was the “male chauvinistic type”, he laughed and denied as he waved his hands.

“Even though it is not to such an extreme degree…(laughs), but a man should always be louder in actions than in words, and he should always put responsibility as top priority. No matter what happens, he should always be in the front, protecting everyone while observing the surrounding situation. When I see my father, whom I respect a lot, I would have such a strong thought. My father has always been the leader amongst his friends, and he has been friends with my mother since they were students so he’s also quite a romantic. I really feel he is very amazing, to have found both friendship and love [in my mother].”

While flipping LEE, he looked directly ahead as he said, “My ideal family is one where I would feel happy just being together.”

“I want to marry at 30 years old. Although it is not a bad idea to marry earlier, but I would want to only do so after I have achieved my goals. While I do not have time to get into a relationship now, there will come a time when I will be in one. Having been a leader for so long, my personality is quite domineering. But when the both of us are alone, frankly speaking, I hope to be led [by her]. Yet again, when there are people around, I also want to be the focus of attention…(laughs). My ideal girl would be someone who can give me suggestions and guidance. I would want to wear the exact same outfit together with my [wife and] child, then travel around to different places together as a whole family.”
Source: LEE Magazine + baiduTVXQTranslation: kimuchi3005 @ OneTVXQ.comCredits: OneTVXQ.com { One World. One Red Ocean. One TVXQ! }
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